Health Library

Health Library

Ear, Nose, and Throat Facts

What is the ear?

External auditory canal or tube. This is the tube that connects the outer ear to the inside or middle ear.

Tympanic membrane (also called the eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear.

Middle ear (tympanic cavity), consisting of:

Ossicles. These are the three small bones that are connected and transmit the sound waves to the inner ear. The bones are called:

Malleus

Incus

Stapes

Eustachian tube. A canal that links the middle ear with the back of the nose. The eustachian tube helps to equalize the pressure in the middle ear. Having the same pressure allows for the proper transfer of sound waves. The eustachian tube is lined with mucous, just like the inside of the nose and throat.

Inner ear, consisting of:

Cochlea (contains the nerves for hearing)

Vestibule (contains receptors for balance)

Semicircular canals (contain receptors for balance)

What is the nose?

The nose is the organ of smell and is part of the peripheral nervous system. The nose consists of:

External nose. A triangular-shaped projection in the center of the face.

Nostrils. These are two chambers divided by the septum.

Septum. This is made up primarily of cartilage and bone and covered by mucous membranes. The cartilage also gives shape and support to the outer part of the nose.

Nasal passages. Passages that are lined with mucous membranes and tiny hairs (cilia) that help to filter the air.

Sinuses. Four pairs of air-filled cavities that are also lined with mucous membranes.

What is the throat?

The throat is a ring-like muscular tube that acts as the passageway for air, food, and liquid. The throat also helps in forming speech. The throat consists of:

Larynx. This houses the vocal cords and is crucial to speech and breathing. The larynx also serves as a passageway to the trachea (windpipe to the lung).

Epiglottis. This is located above the larynx and works with the larynx and vocal cords to push the food into the esophagus, therefore keeping food from entering the windpipe.

Tonsils and adenoids. These are made up of lymph tissue and are located at the back and sides of the mouth. They protect against infection, but generally have little purpose beyond childhood.

Are you sure you would like to cancel?

About the provider search

This search will provide you with WellSpan Medical Group and Northern Lancaster County (Ephrata) Medical Group primary care physicians and specialists. If we don’t have a WellSpan Medical Group physician to meet your criteria, the search will expand to include community physicians who partner with WellSpan Medical Group physicians through the WellSpan Provider Network or provide care to patients on the Medical Staffs of WellSpan’s Hospitals.

Schedule Your Next Appointment Online with MyWellSpan

New to this practice?

If you don't have a WellSpan primary care provider and would like to schedule a new patient appointment with a provider who is accepting patients, just log into your MyWellSpan account, and go to the Appointment Center section. As you progress through the scheduling process, you will be able to see the offices that are accepting new patients in relation to your zip code. If you are not enrolled in MyWellSpan, go to www.mywellspan.org, call 1-866-638-1842 or speak with a member of the staff at a participating facility to sign up. New patient scheduling not available at all practices/programs.

Already a patient at this practice?

If you already have a relationship with a WellSpan practice, simply log into your account, and go to the Appointment Center section. As you progress through the scheduling process, you will be able to schedule an appointment with any provider or practice that already counts you as a patient. Online scheduling varies by practice/program.